Like so much else, the world of tech is now obsessed with AI integration, which is why you’ll see its presence in everything from wearable products to cameras and all in between.
But some of the best pieces of new tech aren’t ‘smart’, and take the resolutely old school approach of combining clever design with top-notch hardware. So, from the latest instant camera to the best new headphones, and yes, an AI-powered, self-moving chessboard, these are the best pieces of tech to buy right now.
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Aston Martin DB5J, Hedley Studios
Take a quick glance at this Aston Martin and you might think it’s one of only 123 DB5 convertibles ever made. But it is in fact a 66 percent scale ‘Junior,’ an electric powered replica, made in collaboration with Aston Martin and to the exacting specifications of the British marque. It boasts the same sculpted bodywork, albeit scaled down, winged Aston Martin badges, Smiths dials and Silver Birch paintwork, faithful to James Bond’s very own DB5.
Price
$93,800
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Abbey Road speakers, Bowers & Wilkins
Abbey Road Studios is responsible for some of the greatest music ever recorded, from The Beatles and Pink Floyd — and not forgetting the soundtracks to Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. The studio’s speaker of choice? That’ll be Bowers & Wilkins, which since 1979 has been the official loudspeaker of the stuido’s control rooms. Celebrating this long-running partnership are these special edition 801 speakers. Based on those used in the studio, these speakers come with a finish inspired by its interiors, with vintage walnut wood and bespoke red leather by Connolly.
Price
$70,000
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H2 turntable, Luphonic
Lots of brands describe their products as ‘minimal,’ but Luphonic has taken the concept to new extremes. Its H2 turntable doesn’t feature any buttons or dials, and is controlled instead by a puck. Depending on which side you place it on the turntable, the device spins up at either 33 or 45 rpm, the speed visible in red digits. Remove the puck and it stops playing. Simple. Elsewhere, the ‘H’ shape design is remarkably functional, designed to minimize interference for improved clarity. Made from an acrylic resin, it’ll look cool on a side unit, whether in use or not.
Price
$4,995
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Flying flea C6 electric motorcycle, Royal Enfield
The original Royal Enfield Flying Flea was built during World War II. Its name derives from its use case: it was designed to be parachuted directly into combat zones, allowing for quick transportation and reconnaissance once on the ground. This new version has been brought into the 21st century with electric power and plenty of integrated tech, while its updated 1940s design is slim and lightweight, ideal for quick maneuvering through cityscapes.
Price
POA
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Momentum MxV amplifier, Dan D'Agostino
The Dan D’Agostino Momentum MxV amplifier may look as though it belongs in the cockpit of a spacecraft, but its function is in fact a simple one: it promises some of the finest sound quality and power of any amp in the world. It combines tech from the Momentum HD preamplifier with the Momentum MxV amp, allowing it to control the input and volume as well as the power. It makes for an all-in-one unit that delivers exceptional quality to loudspeakers in an impressively compact, and attractive, form.
Price
£79,998 (approx. $104,650)
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Inspire 3 drone, DJI
The DJI Inspire 3 drone isn’t the smallest or lightest bit of kit, but if you want to create sweeping, cinematic shots as the sun keeps towards the horizon, it’s one of the best tools for the job. Designed to be nearly as easy to use as any DJI consumer drone, the Inspire 3 delivers outstanding image quality thanks to its full frame 8K sensor and DL-Mount interchangeable lenses. Its new design meanwhile supports 360-degree Pan and Tilt Boost, the latter of which allows for 80-degree upward angle shooting, a rare ability in the world of drones.
Price
$16,499
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917 coffee machine, Porsche x Smeg
Produced in collaboration with Smeg, this Porsche-branded coffee machine takes inspiration from the German marque’s victory at Le Mans in 1970, with the famous red-and-white liveried #23 917K. The casing borrows from the winning car’s design, with the numbered roundel and Porsche script, and it’s limited to 1,970 units. Meanwhile, the integrated grinder, six beverage modes and one-button operation takes care of the coffee.
Price
$1,599
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Sofort 2 100 years of Leica camera
A great stocking stuffer, this. Leica is celebrating its centenary of its first camera, the Leica 1, in 2025. To honor its heritage, the Sofort 2 has been re-worked in homage to its original 35mm camera, which revolutionized handheld photography at the time. Coming with a nickel-colored shutter release and lens cap, and a ‘100’ logo on the top plate, it allows you to edit photos in camera before printing them instantly on the go.
Price
$499
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Beo Grace headphones, Bang & Olufsen
One of the first tech brands to focus on design as much as hardware, Bang & Olufsen continues to combine beautifully engineered products with slick design. The brand’s new Beo Grace earbuds are its most accomplished yet: made from hand-polished aluminum, they feature 12mm titanium drivers, specifically made for deep bass and detailed mids and highs, while Dolby Atmos Spatial audio gives 3-D like sound to music, films or podcasts.
Price
$1,500
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Mania portable speaker, Devialet
Founded in Paris in 2007, Devialet has quickly become one of the most well-regarded audio brands in the world. It has compiled all its knowhow for its Mania speaker, the brand’s first portable design and one of its most impressive yet. Clever tech includes adaptive cross stereo, allowing it to adapt its sound to the room it’s in. Ideal for those constantly on the go, its four aluminum drivers combine with two woofers for power that far exceeds its size.
Price
$899
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Roadster six-piece watch winder, Wolf
If you are lucky enough to own six automatic watches, you will likely know the difficulty of keeping them wound and ready to be worn. The Wolf British racing watch winder fixes that fortunate problem, with the ability to independently wind each of your pride and joys. Patented technology counts turns per day, and each winder can be set to a different rotation option. Wrapped in pebble-grain vegan leather and with a soft micro-suede lining, it’s the perfect gift for the watch lover that already has it all.
Price
$3,670
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Self-moving chess board, Miko AI
We already know that AI is taking over, so why not let it beat you at chess as well? The Miko Chess-Grand board claims to be the ‘world’s smartest AI chessboard’, and with over 20 adaptive AI levels, well, maybe it is? Whether as a fun gift for a young learner, something to amaze your parents or as a tool to keep you on your game, it’s sure to get people talking this holiday season. Its old school, rosewood design hides some of its intellect, and if you choose to play alone, your AI opponent’s pieces will move themselves as it attempts to outsmart you. It can learn your playing style and adapt on the go, and once each game is over it will auto-reset, so you don’t even have to move the pieces back yourself.
Price
$549
